Dr. Lopes brings extensive experience as an investigator to the role, having led hundreds of clinical trials, including the pivotal KEYNOTE-042 study on lung cancer treatment. At First Ascent, he will guide the integration of genomic data with functional drug-response testing, a process the company calls Functional Precision Oncology (FPO). His objective is to transform scientific research into reproducible clinical pathways that gain trust from both physicians and insurance payers.

His appointment arrives as the broader field of precision medicine seeks greater regulatory clarity. In July 2026, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) issued a notice distinguishing modern functional precision assays from older, outdated chemosensitivity testing. By distancing itself from 2011-era guidelines, ASCO has signaled that modern approaches deserve a fresh evaluation, provided they meet rigorous evidence standards. Dr. Lopes aims to use this momentum to steer the development of FPO Centers of Excellence, ensuring that advanced treatment decision support becomes accessible to patients outside of major academic hubs.